Strength of the Team

One thing you will learn on the ice or the lacrosse field is the strength of the team. Everyone should bring something to the table. The combination of each player’s effort and abilities adds to the strength of the team. You may have players who are strong shooters, strong defense minded players, effective fore checkers, great tactical players, and players with lots of speed. You need leaders, and you need contributors to make things work effectively and productively. A team that can pass well is impressive, as is a team that can shut down an attack on their goal. If you can move the ball or the puck working as a unit, you can control the flow of the game. If you can defend against this type of advance, you can shut down the opposing teams rhythm and create turnovers. Getting teams to work together as a unit is not easy. You often find parts of teams that will work well together, but a team where any player can work with any other player is pretty unique. You can work on this during regular practice, and sometimes you can help this along by having teams jell or create a bond among the players. Some teams do this through other activities that allow players a chance to get to know each other. When each member is looking out for each other and all working toward a common goal - things often work well. It’s not a guaranteed formula for victory, but it’s a pretty good vehicle for success. You may not win the Stanley Cup, but you may learn a valuable lesson on how to work with others. Working as a team comes in handy off the ice as well. Great things come from those who can work as a team. You can’t always do everything yourself all the time. Pass the puck, and others will pass the puck to you.